Page 6 of Johny B

Chapter

Five

Scarlett

“Hey, I wasn’t expecting you today?” I say when I eventually glance up from my desk after hearing the door opening. Smoke, the president of the Young Outlaws MC here in Reno, stands in the open doorway watching me, not saying a word, waiting for me to acknowledge his arrival. To others, this might seem strange, as, along with the YOMC, Florida chapter, they own Velvet Reds and, therefore, that makes him my boss. Yet he treats me with the greatest respect and is far from what you’d expect from a dirt-assed biker.

Smoke and I have a bond that no others are privy to. It’s something that he insists on keeping under wraps. He makes out that it’s because he doesn’t want me to be subjected to his club brother’s crude and unfavorable jokes, but I know that if it was known to others outside the club that I would be deemed ashis weak spot, a target that could easily put me in danger if his enemies wanted to take a shot at him.

“What’s going on?” I ask, pushing myself out of the seat and walking towards him.

“Thought I’d check in,” he replies, moving into the room. When he turns to make sure the door is firmly shut behind him, I know he’s here for a reason, and not just to check up on his investment.

“Bullshit,” I laugh before pushing up on my toes and placing a kiss on his bearded cheek. The smell of tobacco, oil, and worn leather invades my senses. “If it wasn’t something important, you would have sent Stone or one of the other guys over here.”

If it wasn’t for him wearing his cut, you’d be mistaken for thinking he is a member of a rock band. He’s wearing tight jeans that fit his lean, muscular body like a second skin; faded Rolling stones T-shirt that has a row of holes a couple of inches up from the hem; and combat boots that are only part laced, the heavy leather tongue flapping forward. An unlit cigarette hangs from the corner of his mouth, ready for lighting as soon as he leaves the room, as he knows my office is a no-smoking zone.

“You need me to take care of something?” It wouldn’t be the first time he’d ask me to put pressure on a John to do the club a favor or give up information that would be of help to them.

“In this case, it’s not a ‘something’, more of a ‘someone’.” He looks me straight in the eye while rubbing the tips of his fingers through the hair on his chin. “He needs to leave town—disappear for a while.”

“He,” I gasp. “You want me to hide a man in a whore house? Jesus, Smoke, that won’t be hard. The place is full of them most of the week.”

“Not in the main house. He needs to hide in your private living quarters.”

“Are you serious? You want me to share my home with this guy?”

“I know it’s a lot to ask, and I fucking hate putting you in this position, but I’ve not got many options. I can’t risk the girls letting it slip that he’s here because the fewer people that know the better.”

“If he’s from another town, why not just hold him up at the club house?” I try to argue.

“Because he’s a Young Outlaw, and that means the first places these fuckers will come looking, if they get wind that he’s skipped town, are the other clubs’ chapters. Ours will be the first place they look, as it’s no secret that we have a close bond with Florida. However, they’re not aware of the link they have with Velvet Reds.”

I don’t like it, but what can I do? When it comes down to it, this is Smoke’s place.

“So, what’s the asshole done to get him into so much hot water?” I stand my ground with my fists firmly pressed to my waist. I cast him a glare that tells him that boss or no boss, this is still not a done deal.

“Got caught with his dick is some dude’s wife.”

“Is that it?” I chuckle. “Par for the course for your lot. Damn, I thought you were going to say he’d slaughtered someone and was on the run from the cops.”

“Well, she was the Chief of Police’s wife, so I guess you're partly right.”

“Jesus, just another guy whose cock doesn’t weigh up the consequences before poking the pussy.”

“Shit, Scarlett. Please don’t talk like that. It doesn’t suit you.”

“Sorry, but what do you expect when I run a place like this? Angel wings and sweet, poetic words ain’t what you’re gonna get.”

“You better not be fucking, that’s for sure. If for one minute I thought you were, I’d…”

“Hey.” I step closer to him, lifting my chin and softening my tone. “I’m not and I never intend to get involved in that side of the business. I manage this place; I don’t turn tricks.”

He nods, his face relaxing at my truth. He glances over at the desk. “Glad to see you’re still keeping up with your studies.” Stepping closer, he flips to the front of one of the many books laid open to check out the title. “How come a law dictionary is thicker than a standard one?” He questions before flipping it back to the page it was open to.

“Crazy, yeah. Don’t worry, I’m well on it and before you know it, I’ll be taking care of the club's legal matters.”

“That’s not why I encourage you to take your education seriously, and you know it.” He scowls. “The club already has a perfectly good lawyer. You’re an intelligent young woman, and you are wasted here.”

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